Canadian curler suspended for anti-doping rule violation

Canadian curler Matt Dumontelle has been suspended for two years from competition after an anti-doping rule violation during the World Men's Curling Championship in Victoria.

Dumontelle, the alternate player for the team skipped by Brad Jacobs, tested positive for the banned substance Methandienone Metabolites in a test following the gold-medal game.

The result does not affect Canada's silver-medal finish at the World Championship, nor does it have any ramifications for the Jacobs team.

"We are disappointed to hear this news," said Canadian Curling Association (CCA) Chief Executive Officer Greg Stremlaw. "We take the issue of doping in sports extremely seriously, and we stress repeatedly and emphatically to our athletes how important it is to respect the rules set down by the World Anti-Doping Agency. We respect the findings of the tests, and will pursue no further action on behalf of the athlete in question. In the end, regardless of the circumstance, our athletes are solely responsible for everything that enters their body. Having said that, we are firm in the belief that our athletes respect the rules and will continue to display a high standard of following them. As well, the CCA will continue to provide educational resources to our athletes on the subject of doping. Players who compete in national and international events are told in advance, and in clear language, of the anti-doping rules and the importance of following them."

Dumontelle informed the CCA, World Curling Federation and the World Anti-Doping Agency that he has acknowledged the violation and has waived his right to appeal the finding. His two-year sanction ends on May 6, 2015 (two years from the date of the provisional suspension being assessed), and makes him ineligible to participate in any sport that is part of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program during the time of the suspension.

"I take full responsibility for the findings of the positive test at the World Championship in Victoria. I am truly sorry for letting down my teammates, the Canadian Curling Association and curling fans across Canada," said Dumontelle. "I was taking a workout supplement that I believed was safe; clearly, it was not and I regret that decision. I had no intentions of trying to 'beat the system.' I was made aware by our Canadian Curling Association High Performance staff of my responsibilities to respect and follow the rules as set down by the World Anti-Doping Agency. At the end of the day I accept that it was, and is, my responsibility to make sure that I am playing by those rules."

"We have been informed of the positive finding for alternate player Matt Dumontelle, and while we remain friends with Matt, we in no way condone his actions," said E.J. Harnden, the second for Team Jacobs. "We respect the rules of the the World Anti-Doping Agency, and we also respect the process and the resulting penalty. Our team has undergone various in-competition tests this season with no adverse findings. As well, we are fully aware that as high-performance athletes, we are subject to random testing at any time. This is as it should be, because in no way, shape or form do we think that doping has a place in sports. We believe that this is an extremely isolated incident, and in no way should it be a reflection on our team or our sport."

Dumontelle was added to Team Jacobs following its victory at the 2013 Northern Ontario championship. He did not participate in any games at the World Championship.